Buying a good gaming rig

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robinrtb

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I've decided it's time to buy my first 'gaming pc'. I don't know a lot about computers, so I will not be overclocking it, etc. There is a site that lets you 'build' a pc, giving you several options. I came up wth this:
Case: Corsair Graphite 230T Orange Window
Motherboard: MSI Z97 GAMING 5 (AMD CrossfireX & nVidia SLI)
Cooler: Standard Intel Processor Cooler
Processor: Intel Core i5 4690K Haswell (4x 3500 MHz Unlocked!) Quad Core
DDR RAM: 16GB DDR3 2400Mhz 2x 8GB (Corsair Vengeance PRO)
Graphics: AMD R9 280X van ASUS(R9 280X 3GB R9280X-DC2-3GD5)
Boot Disk: 120GB SSD (Samsung 840 EVO MZ-7TE120BW 120GB)
Hard Disk: 1TB
Power: Corsair VS Series VS650

This would give me a total of €1280, which is slightly above my budget but I'm willing to ignore that.
Now, I have several questions.

First off, I want to be able to play games on their highest settings (For now only Skyrim, WoW, Sims 4), but I want it to stay viable for a few years (and thus to be able to play new games, with highest setting for as long as possible. Can this machine handle that?

Secondly, the shop allows me to overclock it for €10, but then I would need a better cooler. Like Scythe Katana 4 for €30. This would add €40 and as I said, I've already reached my limit. Would that make a significant enough difference?

Thirdly, is the power cable and standard cooler good enough?

Lastly, is the case even relevant? I mean, for airflow or anything? Just wondering.

I would appreciate any help. As I said, I don't know that much about PCs and especially picking the motherboard was very confusing. Any tips you could give me are appreciated.
 
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Proofy

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Your motherboard should have auto overclock when cpu is on load (all of the new z97 mobos for devils canyon have, mine ASUS z97-a has it, mine 4690k is on 4.8GHz stable when it is on load automatically overclocked by the mobo)

High recommendations:

1) Get a cooler, I have noctua nh-d15 but I'm not sure it would fit Corsair Graphite 230T so you can go with liquid cooling system
2) You don't need that RAM especially not that speed. Get 2x4GB or 2x8GB BUT 1600MHz or 1866MHz if it is up to 20$ more expensive
3) GPU is not bad but I would buy GTX770 instead from ASUS
4) You can get SSD later, invest in GTX770 I'd say
5) PSU change to XFX or Antec 700/750W

I just checked it, it can fit Corsair Graphite 230T just make sure you get LOW PROFILE RAM (hyperX series for example) so your second noctua fan can fit on the cooler if you decide to go with noctua
 
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lightcloud

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Not a good choice of PSU it is a tier 3. If you overclock which most likely you will, then a tier 1-2 is required. Here's a list to assist you out.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Currently the R9 280X is able to play jo ultra and high. But in 2 years time, it might only be able to play on medium or lower. But if you plan a Crossfire then the R9 280X will get you on high.

Don't get the shop to overclock it for you, it is like a "scam". Do it yourself and there are plenty of guides to assist you out.

Get a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo if you overclock. I mentioned the PSU at the start.

For best airflow get a full tower. But that should do.
 
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rk_ftw

rk_ftw

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- You mentioned that you won't be overclocking. If not, an i5-4590 and the Asus Z97-A are great choices. You could save few bucks.
- You don't need that much RAM if you're only gaming and not doing any editing (eg Sony Vegas, etc.) 8GB (4GBx2) of 1600MHz RAM is plenty enough for gaming. Just make sure, you get low profile RAM (i.e. NOT the tall heat spreader ones)
- The R9 280x is a good GPU. But I'd go with the Asus GTX 770 instead.
- I'd also change the PSU to a good quality one. Seasonic makes good quality PSUs (there are others, this is just my preference)
- If you do overclock, you'd have to buy a good CPU cooler like the CM Hyper 212 Evo/X or the Noctua NH-D14. And there are guides available to overclock the Devil's Canyon CPUs. Just read about it extensively.
- Your choice of case is good.
 
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Proofy

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He said he wouldn't overclock because he doesn't know how to. Asus z97-a is overclocking processor by itself (devils canyon so 4690K is the way to go even tho if he doesn't know how to oc it manually :) )

Btw you're repeating my post xd
 
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robinrtb

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Sending this from my phone, so I hope the format is okay.
Ive looked at the feedback and Ive ditched the site because it offered very few alternatives.
I have now compiled this:
Cooler Master Hyper212 Evo: Is this sufficient?
Power supply: Corsair RM 550
HDD: seagate barracuda 7200 (sata-600) 1 TB
RAM: 16 Gb DDR 3 1866mhz
I also read this part was important: intel msi z97 gaming 5. Is that sufficient?
I havent switched gpu yet. Why is the gtx 770 better? Gpuboss gives a lower rating.
Is it hard to make your own pc? My father said connecting certain pieces was a very delicate job that could cost several € 100s if it goes wrong..

Is the ram low profile? I read that was recommended.

Lastly, is overclocking really necessary and what is crossfire exactly?

Sorry but im a real layman when it comes to pcs any help is appreciated!
 
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Proofy

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Cooler Master Hyper212 Evo will be enough for decent overclock. Not for high-extreme ones.

No, buy XFX/EVGA/Antec or Rosewill PSU 600W or more

HDD is very nice yes.

RAM also good (make sure it is kit paired), get hyperX from kingston low profile ones.

I would get asus z97-a instead of MSI because ASUS is more reliable by my opinion but MSI will be just fine.

GTX770 is better for single 1080p monitor 60Hz because it has better quality, better drivers and more stable. Will perform better in bunch of games.

Don't worry about overclocking because your mobo will do it automatically just make sure you installed all the drivers. (you should get all of them on the CD and I would install windows 8.1 pro)

It's not hard to build a pc. You have plenty of tutorials on the internet step by step build
 
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robinrtb

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RAM also good (make sure it is kit paired), get hyperX from kingston low profile ones.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what this means. Sorry, I don't know anything about RAM.. What does kit paired mean? Does it mean I will need two GPUs? And I couldn't really find much about the hyperX. Is that a type of RAM or is it an additional component? How do I know which ones are low profile?

Also, why is that PCU not good? I looked at the other link (with the tiers), and it was tier 2 class A. It said that was excellent quality, or did I see that wrong? Mostly because the price difference is quite big. The other choice would be XFX Pro Series 750W. Is this better? That one is also in tier 2A, according to that link. They're both tier 2A, but there is a noticeable price difference.

About the GTX.. I've found a GTX but it appears there are two, the 2GB DDR5 and the 4GB. Is the 2GB sufficient? As I said, as much as I would like the perfect PC, I only have a limited budget.
 
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robinrtb

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I've found a couple of hyperx RAMs. Could you tell me if they are low profile ones (and "kit paired")?
--- Kingston HyperX 16 GB DDR3-1866 Quad-Kit, geheugen(KHX18C10T2K4/16, XMP, Predator)
--- Kingston HyperX 16 GB DDR3-1866 Quad-Kit, geheugen (KHX18C10T3K4/16, XMP, Beast)
--- Corsair Vengeance Pro CMY16GX3M2A1866C9 (16GB DDR3-1866MHz)
so are these any good?
 
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lightcloud

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Corsair Vengeance Pro is probably the lowest for the clearance. Or you could consider G.Skill Tridents if it is not as expensive as the rest.
 
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robinrtb

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Could someone give a specific Memory that would suit this build? These kingston hyperX for example are 4x4 GB and I've read that it's better to have 2x 8GB. Besides, I still don't know how to see which ones are low profile. If you could just link a couple of specific memories, that would be great.
I'm sorry but as I said, I have very little knowledge of these things and some concepts are quite hard to grasp for a newb.
 
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lightcloud

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If you are a heavy overclocker then the CPU cooler will not do. Try a Noctua NH-D14 or a Corsair H100i.

Bad choice of PSU if you overclock. Get at least a 600W. Try the Antec HCG 620W, it is in my sig. ;)

MSI isn't great for motherboards due to their quality control. Try Asus, Gigabyte or ASRock.

The R9 280X performs better in some games in contrast with the GTX 770 and vice versa. I would go with Nvidia if I will be recording with Shadowplay (free downloadable software that comes with the graphics card).

Building a PC isn't hard and it is like adult Lego and it is pretty fun. Really fun.

Well search up the RAM with your CPU cooler and see what people say about the clearance space.

Crossfire is when two or more of the same AMD graphics card (brand doesn't matter, but series and Vram matters) is placed together to improve graphic performance. I may be not as accurate but try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_CrossFireX





 
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lightcloud

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What's your budget?
 
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robinrtb

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This is what I have now:

GPU Asus GeForce GTX 770 - DC2OC-2GD5-2GB-PCI-E
Motherboard Asus Z97a
CPU Intel Core i5- 4690K (3.5GHz).
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
SSD: Crucial M500 120GB
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB, Sata-600 (1TB is more than enough for me.)
Case: Corsair Graphite 230T (Orange)
Power Supply: EVGA Supernova G2 750W
Memory: Here I'm at a complete loss. I was thinking of this one: Corsair 16GB (2x8) DDR3, 1866MHz Vengeance Pro. Is this one 'low profile'?
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS/DVD Burner (I'm not interested in bluray)

Is this all compatible? Would this give me a nice pc? My budget is around €1200 btw.
 
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robinrtb

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Thank you for your help! I have one last question then. This is the own you linked:
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9. This one is 90 dollars.
I also found this one with better specs: Vengeance LP Memory 16GB 1866MHz CL10 DDR3 (CML16GX3M2A1866C10) which is 170 euro. I'm willing to pay for that last one if you think it will be worth it. Will the upgrade be noticeable?
 
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Proofy

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1866 is not worth for gaming but however recently 1866 and 1600MHz ram were like 10$ difference so it is better to buy 1866 for such small difference in price.

Here is the model of the kingston hyperX RAM 2x8GB 1866MHz in kit HX318C10FBK2/16 (this is black which would match with the color of your mobo :D)

The corsair ones you have send are not bad as well you can pick then too :)

2x8GB 1866MHz low profile kit paired

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-memory-ax3u1866w8g10dr
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx318c10fbk216 (the one I was talking about)

Also check if you maybe have Intels ssd 120GB in your country at a lower price than the crucial
 
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